Hot Air Balloon
This is something I've wanted to do since first seeing the movie, The Wizard of Oz, when I was very young. In Cairns there are two balloon businesses, and from the brochures they looked pretty much the same. I chose Hot Air Balloon Cairns and was happy with my choice. I was picked up at my hotel at 4:20 am. I sat in the front of the mini-bus and most of the people behind me slept. I talked with the driver, Merv. He pointed out things along the drive and told some stories. I'm glad I rode in the front and was awake.
There were three other balloons going up around the same time as the balloon I was in. The balloon basket had two compartments on each side of the pilot in the middle, with five people in each compartment. The pilot gave a short safety talk and told us how to brace for landing before we took off.
We came down in a field and there was a truck pulling a trailer waiting. We rode in the (dangerous) trailer to get back to our mini bus for the trip back. Driver Merv is the guy in the green shirt below, helping everyone out of the basket.
I'm so glad I did this!
9 comments:
How fantastic! I would love to do that one day.
Hi Pamel wow what an experience xx
Wonderful pics, so glad you enjoyed it,such a fabulous thing to do . Isn't it strange that you don't get the scared of heights feeling even though you are up so high.Drifting silently when the gas is turned off is just Amazing ! ! Awesome memories for years to come.
I did this for my 50th birthday many miles to the South and after we were picked up, we all had a fantastic breakfast on the sunny verandah of an old homestead.
You are brave, Pamela! What a thrill.
Thanks for sharing your amazing photos.
What a wonderful experience, I had a giggle as you have done this in Australia and I did this in the US!! Love the koala balloon.
There are really only two things I want to do before I die. One is to see Buffalo in a wild setting...Yellowstone. The other is a hot air balloon ride. I am so happy for you to have taken this ride. I am ELATED for you!!!
xx, Carol
How exciting, pamela. isn't it wonderful to finally fulfill a dream? And it looks just gorgeous!
Oh this looks so fun! They have a yearly balloon race in the town right beside us. The wind never seems to blow them our way though. We will try to go to the "glow" this year. Dunno if I'm brave enough to go up in one but your experience my give me confidence some day! How wonderful for you~ :D
Oh, how fun! Another one on my bucket list. Great idea to combine it with some from-above sight seeing!
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